University of Phoenix Collaborates with National Guard Association of the United States to Offer Scholarship Program

Press Release

University of Phoenix Collaborates with National Guard Association of the United States to Offer Scholarship Program

September 4, 2013

Scholarship program provides three Guardsmen a chance to complete a full-tuition master’s degree program at University of Phoenix

PHOENIX, Sept. 4, 2013 – University of Phoenix® and National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), the nation’s oldest military association lobbying for the benefit of the National Guard, awarded three full-tuition scholarships to Guardsmen to complete a master’s degree program at University of Phoenix. The scholarships were awarded to Army and Air National Guardsmen and NGAUS members ranked Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) and below.

The 2013 University of Phoenix NGAUS Scholarship recipients are:

Jason Lefton, an officer in the New York National Guard from Clifton Park, N.Y., will pursue a Master of Business Administration degree. Lefton plans on using his degree to complete his military career. He wants to continue his career in personal finance – a career that was put on hold 12 years ago because of the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11. As he prepares to participate in his fourth mobilization with the National Guard since 9/11, he wants to use his degree to provide for his family and possibly start his own business.

Timothy Ames, a warrant officer in the Hawaii National Guard from Waipahu, Hawaii, will pursue a Master of Science in Information Systems degree. Ames will use the degree to increase his strengths as a highly certified networking and security engineer. His long-term career goal is to serve an organization as a Chief Technology or Information System Officer.

James Driscolli, an officer in the Connecticut Air National Guard from West Hartford, Conn., will pursue a Master of Business Administration degree. Driscolli’s near-death experience while serving in Afghanistan helped him realize the importance of accountability and living life to the fullest. He plans on using his degree to develop his leadership skills as a military officer and help him transition into the civilian sector to eventually start his own business.

"NGAUS enjoys partnerships with a variety of corporations and institutions, but none is more personally rewarding than our relationship with the University of Phoenix," said retired Maj. Gen. Gus L. Hargett Jr., the NGAUS president. "This program enables us to provide the key to success, education, to some very deserving young officers. I know the recipients and their families are thrilled. And so is our entire association."

“University of Phoenix is excited to work with NGAUS and provide our nation’s Guardsmen an opportunity to achieve their education goals,” said Associate Regional Vice President for University of Phoenix’s Military Division retired Army Col. Garland Williams. “The 2013 University of Phoenix NGAUS Scholarships demonstrate our corporate social responsibility to provide access to education opportunities. These scholarships allow Guardsmen to increase their professional skill sets through education to help them secure future employment opportunities both in the military and beyond.”

Applications for the 2013 University of Phoenix NGAUS Scholarship were accepted through May 30, 2013, and scholarship recipients were notified on July 11, 2013.

About NGAUS
The National Guard Association of the United States is the nation’s oldest military association lobbying solely for the benefit of the National Guard of the United States and educating the public about the Guard’s role and history in the Armed Forces of the United States. It was formed by militia officers in 1878 to obtain better equipment and training by petitioning Congress for more resources. For more information, visit http://www.ngaus.org/.

About University of PhoenixUniversity of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.